Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:
With good conscience I need to speak out to the caring public regarding a serious government intrusion into the local public schools. The reason for this is that politics and academic theory often mix poorly with good teaching practices in the classroom.

To the Editor:
Newtown, you are amazing. The Great Pumpkin Challenge had its best year yet. You carved 172 jack-o-lanterns and we raised $4,610 for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Paul Newman’s summer camp for children battling illness.

To the Editor:
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” – Joseph Goebbels
Fifty years after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the airways recently have been inundated with documentaries and “tributes” to the president slain “that day in Dallas.” Several government investigations, and more than 2,000 books over the last five decades, have examined what has been referred to as ”The Crime of the Century.” What I have suspected for over 35 years has finally been confirmed: There will be no impartial presentations by any of the major outlets regarding the “Lone Nut” vs. “Conspiracy” debate; the Emmy goes to … “Oswald Did It By Himself.”

To the Editor:
The holidays are my favorite time, and every year they are especially gratifying because of the Holiday Basket Program put on by the Newtown Fund. I want to reassure everyone in our community that any contributions to the Newtown Fund are always spent directly in Newtown and that there are no administrative costs to run the fund except for postage and letterhead. Our wonderful board is made up of volunteers who are available for emergency requests from social services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide funds to help when people fall through the cracks. We pay for medical insurance when someone is incapacitated and can’t get any more help from other sources or when a young person needs extensive dental work and no insurance is available. We have a fuel assistance fund. Social Services is responsible for screening all candidates.

To the Editor:
Once again, the Salvation Army needs your help in bell ringing. Let's make it a banner year and show what it means to be nicer and Newtown. Almost all of the funds raised remain in Newtown which enables our Social Services department in helping our citizens.

To The Editor:
I am one of the many unfortunate people over 60 who have had their healthcare cancelled due to the Affordable Care Act. My current policy, with Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield has been cancelled effective 1/1/14. My current policy costs me $1,389.42 per month to cover my wife and myself and has a deductible of $5,000.

To the Editor:
I’d like to take a moment to thank all the voters who cast their ballots to elect me as one of the four representatives from our district on the Legislative Council. It’s a tremendous honor, and I look forward to acting on your behalf in all the challenging decisions ahead. It has a deep personal meaning for me because my grandfather, James Knapp, Sr, who many of you may have known, also served Newtown on the Legislative Council. I know I have some big shoes to fill.

To the Editor:
This past election season was “quiet” at the level of the Board of Selectmen, as we three faced no competition. While we appreciated not having to add the burden of campaigning to our already busy work lives, we regret having missed out on the personal interaction that comes with seeking your vote.

To the Editor:
I'd like to thank everyone who came out last week and voted in our local elections. I'd also like to thank all of you who supported me at the polls and look forward to representing Newtown on the Board of Finance.